Florida Court Throws Out Signature Revocation Law

TALLAHASSEE (CN) – A Florida appeals court struck down a state law allowing voters to revoke their signatures on petitions to amend the state Constitution.

The 1st District Court of Appeals held that the law and its implementing rules are unconstitutional because they “do not ensure ballot integrity.” Signature revocation unnecessarily burdens the process of amending the state Constitution, the three-judge panel ruled. The law was passed at the request of business organizations that used it to revoke signatures gathered by proponents of Hometown Democracy, an initiative requiring voters to approve plans for new roads, homes, businesses and development.